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Russian FM: Talking to Hamas important
Roni Sofer
Ynet News: 06.29.10
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3912420,00.html

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Tuesday that his country was doing the right thing in its direct talks with the Hamas organization.

`Yes, we are holding talks with Hamas – because it was elected by a large Palestinian majority in free elections, according to all elements,` Lavrov said in a joint press conference with his Israeli counterpart, Avigdor Lieberman, at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem.

`Nonetheless,` he added. `In all our talks with Hamas we try to convince our colleagues to move to the diplomatic route, to draw nearer to the PLO`s stand and support the Arab peace initiative.` He also hinted that `we are witnessing positive movements.`

`If we take the economic development in Gaza as an example,` he explained, `without direct talks with Hamas this issue will not be advanced. It`s not a simple process, but it must be done.`

Lieberman addressed the remark, saying that `the policy towards Hamas is one of the points we and Russia disagree on. But the smart thing to do is to continue holding a sincere dialogue, even on the points we don`t agree on.`

Lieberman: No Palestinian state in 2012
Addressing the peace process in a wider context, Lavrov said, `We believe everything must be done to reach a peace settlement in the Middle East.`

He commented on the recent tensions over the Jewish settlement in east Jerusalem, saying that `unilateral moves must be prevented on all sides in order to prevent the situation from escalating before the city`s final status is determined.`

The Russian minister suggested ways to jumpstart the peace process, saying `we believe the Quartet and the international community are an important mechanism, but it`s not enough. This is why we think a joint committee with the Arab League on this matter will be an important start. We believe efforts must continue both in the economic and security-related fields, as well as in the diplomatic route, otherwise extremism will increase and radical elements will be encouraged to act.`

A Russian TV reporter asked Lieberman whether he believed a Palestinian state could be established by 2012. `As an optimistic person,` the foreign minister replied, `I see no chance of reaching a Palestinian state by 2012. One can imagine, but I don`t see a chance for it. We must launch economic negotiations, through the Quartet, until we reach direct talks.`

`We`ll meet UN demand on S-300`
Responding to reporters` questions, Lavrov addressed the Iranian issue as well. `As for uranium enrichment in Iran, we know that it has low-enriched uranium,` he said. `According to the International Atomic Energy Agency`s conclusions, they have 2,000 kilograms of low-enriched uranium. It`s enough for two bombs – and that`s nothing new.`

He explained that Iran was continuing the enrichment `because they cannot receive fuel for their experimental reactor.`

According to Lavrov, Russia is continuing its efforts to reach a compromise, on the backdrop of the recent initiative mediated by Turkey and Brazil, which offered to enrich uranium for Iran.

`We approached the IAEA secretary-general together with the United States and suggested appointing a committee of experts which would find a way to supply fuel so that enrichment in Iran won`t be necessary. I hope Iran accepts this, so that the situation won`t get complicated.`

Lieberman addressed the Iranian issue as well, saying that `Israel has believed for many years that Iran is a threat, not only on Israel. There is no doubt that the Iranian nuclear process will lead to an arms race in the entire region. This threat must be stopped.`

`Today, when they have moved on to 20% enrichment, it`s clear to everyone that they are enriching for military purposes,` the foreign minister added. `Iran is a threat to the entire Middle East, with its support for terror, with the Shiite rebels in Iraq, with Hezbollah and with Hamas.`

Lavrov was also asked about the sale of S-300 antiaircraft missiles to Iran, which has been delayed for several years in light of a recent Security Council resolution to impose additional sanctions on Iran.

`The composition of the list of sanctions is unclear, but Russia will meet the international community`s decisions,` he said.


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